FOWLER: I HAD TO FIGHT BACK THE TEARS
Robbie Fowler admits he had to fight back the tears as he waved a
final goodbye to the Anfield faithful on Sunday.
The goalscoring legend, whose contract is up in the summer, made
his final appearance in front of the Kop during the 2-2 draw with
Charlton.
"At the end, on the lap of honour when the fans were chanting my
name, it was a bit of an emotional time but I did my best to keep
the tears in," said the 32-year-old.
"With it being my last game at Anfield, I'd have loved to have
scored but not everything goes to plan in football.
"I have had a good career at Liverpool and today I tried not to let
things get on top of me - I think it worked. I felt I did all
right."
Fowler, who Rafa Benitez made captain for the afternoon, missed out
on a final day goal after being substituted in the dying
moments.
His standing ovation had barely lapsed when Liverpool were awarded
a penalty which Harry Kewell happily stepped up to convert.
"It's just one of those things," said Fowler. "The manager has been
great and I can't thank him enough for giving me a chance by
bringing me back to Liverpool.
"I know what he was doing in bringing me off and getting me a good
ovation from the crowd.
"But as I've said before, things don't always go to plan in
football. If I was on the pitch, I'd have taken the penalty, and if
we'd have won the game, it would have been better.
"But with a bit of luck, I'll be involved in the Champions League
final and we'll see what happens there."
Fowler wasn't given the chance to say goodbye when his first spell
at Anfield ended with a move to Leeds United in November
2001.
The striker added: "I missed saying goodbye last time and I'm glad
I could to do it this time. I'd have loved to have stayed but all
good things come to an end.
"Thankfully I had a decent chance of saying goodbye. I've thanked
the manager and the fans have been fantastic to me, in the first
spell and probably just as good the second time around."
As for what's next for one of Liverpool's all-time greats, the man
himself isn't yet sure.
"I've had no offers yet. We've got another game and I'm not too
worried about what's happening in the future just now. I'm just
focused on the next game and that's the main priority.
"I've not even thought about my future. The next game is massive
for us. I want to focus on that, and whatever happens after that
we'll see.
"I don't think many people could cope if the game against Milan
goes to penalties but as long as Liverpool win, no matter how, then
we'll all be happy."
